ocurrir
/oh-koo-reer/
to happen
When an event or situation is about to happen.
ocurrir(verb)
to happen
?event/situation
,to take place
?event/situation
to occur
?formal synonym for 'to happen'
📝 In Action
¿Qué ocurrió anoche en el parque?
A1What happened last night in the park?
Las inundaciones ocurren cada primavera.
A2The floods happen every spring.
Si esto vuelve a ocurrir, tendremos que hablar.
B1If this happens again, we will have to talk.
💡 Grammar Points
Impersonal Use
In this meaning, 'ocurrir' is usually used in the third person (like 'it happens' or 'they happen') because the event or thing is the focus, not a person performing the action.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Transitive and Impersonal
Mistake: "Yo ocurro el problema."
Correction: Ocurrió el problema. ('Ocurrir' doesn't take a direct object; the thing that happened is the subject.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Event
Think of 'ocurrir' as meaning 'came into existence.' The event itself is the one doing the 'occurring.'
When an idea occurs to someone (comes to mind).
ocurrir(verb)
to occur to (someone)
?idea comes to mind
,to strike (someone)
?when an idea strikes you
to come to mind
?thought process
📝 In Action
Se me ocurrió una idea fantástica para el proyecto.
B1A fantastic idea occurred to me for the project. (Literally: An idea occurred itself to me.)
¿No se te ocurre nada mejor?
B1Can't you think of anything better? (Literally: Doesn't anything better occur to you?)
Nunca se nos ocurrió preguntarles la verdad.
B2It never occurred to us to ask them the truth.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Gustar' Structure
When using 'ocurrir' to mean 'to come to mind,' it follows the pattern of 'gustar.' The idea is the subject (it does the 'occurring'), and the person who has the idea is the indirect object (me, te, le, nos, les).
The Extra 'Se'
This meaning always requires the reflexive pronoun 'se' before the indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, etc.). This 'se' signals that the action happens spontaneously or accidentally to the person.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Subject Agreement
Mistake: "Se me ocurrieron una idea. (The verb is plural, but the idea is singular.)"
Correction: Se me ocurrió una idea. (The verb must agree with the idea, which is singular.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the Idea
If the idea is singular (una idea), use 'ocurrió' or 'ocurre.' If the ideas are plural (varias ideas), use 'ocurrieron' or 'ocurren.' The 'me' or 'te' never changes the verb ending.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ocurrir
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'ocurrir' in the sense of 'to come to mind'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ocurrir' always used impersonally?
Almost always. When it means 'to happen,' it only uses the third-person forms (it/they). When it means 'to come to mind' (ocurrírsele), it still uses the third-person verb forms, but the *person* is indicated by the indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, etc.).
What is the difference between 'ocurrir' and 'pasar' (to happen)?
'Ocurrir' is slightly more formal and is often preferred in writing or formal announcements. 'Pasar' is very common and flexible in everyday spoken Spanish.